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Tiger McKee just released new info regarding his lightweight fighting rifle, the Shootrite Katana:

I’ve been playing with the new Katana, and it is great. We’re still fine tuning a couple of things but it should be ready for shipping soon. We’re still offering the original version of the carbine, and the new version retains all the original concepts except with a couple of different options. MHT has done a great job with this build. And, there won’t be any of the problems – such as no customer service – as there were previously. It will be available in black or the FDE.

All parts on rifle hand assembled, matched and fitted with function checks and test fire

The MHT Defense website is currently under construction, but does list a contact email. [MHT will also be offering a Shootrite AR-15 lower receiver].

The Katana to date has had a few ‘hiccups’ with regard to it reaching the marketplace (apparently due to the first shop contracted to build it being more concerned with their TV show than actually serving customers). This doesn’t diminish the rifle’s concept in the slightest. All small businesses have obstacles to overcome in order to serve their customers. I applaud Tiger’s effort to see that the Katana is made to spec by people who respect and communicate with those customers.

It is currently sold as a kit, primarily consisting of a new receiver and bolt. The fitting and action are well done and it has Type 3 hard anodizing on the receiver for a durable finish.

Next up is from Black Rain. It’s an AK platform prototype currently called the ‘Freedom Fighter’. Features include an easily manipulated thumb safety and also a right-sided mag guide that works much like a magazine funnel but still lets the shooter see the contact points necessary for rocking in a mag. Mounted to the shoulder the stock placement is perfect the attached rail system. Currently the arm is rather heavy but that is something that will be addressed as the design progresses. Note also the AR-15 contained trigger unit (blue) that will be available soon. It’s a single stage 3lb design that has a very nice clean break.

Looking much like the M41A Pulse Rifle from Aliens is an AK pattern rifle prototype from Black Rain.

AP Industries is one of the companies that I specifically wanted to visit this weekend. They make a fantastically lightweight AR-15 handguard that cleverly utilizes a standard barrel nut to attach the forend. Additionally the handguards can be easily customized with rails, QD sockets and such that mount to the vent slots. Their shotshell carriers and speedloaders are impressive too, with obvious care in design and machining.

Despite the ‘period of transition’ that Magpul is undergoing they still had quite a few new products to show.

Magpul’s new AK magazine and pistol grip (with handstop)

Magpul AK mag – closeup of non-tilt follower

Not new but still good to see was the Stealth Gray furniture. It’s darker that I thought it would be but looks good. Notice that the forend is a midlength. The new color is still in the pipeline but has been pushed back until the market is a bit less… frantic.

Magpul Stealth Gray – STR stock, MOE grip and Midlength Forend

Magpul also has new steel back up iron sights (BUIS) called MBUS Pro’s and 1911 grips but my photos of those were not suitably in focus to post here. I will try for better pics again tomorrow.

Another one of the ‘must see, must hold, “take my money now!”‘ items: the IWI Tavor.

IWI Tavor FDE

Ergonomic and user friendly, I particularly like the way the bolt can be easily released by the hand inserting the magazine. It appears that the only way to lock the bolt back is on an empty magazine though. Trigger wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either (service grade), but then again it is a bullpup.

MKA 1919 tricked out for competition with side-charging handle on the forend and collapsible stock with 10 round magazine in place.

Some of you might have read my posts about converting my Saiga 12 and also using it in competition. I still enjoy shooting it way more than I should however, I have been watching the development of the MKA 1919 as a competitive shotgun. Partly because I am wary of low serial numbers, but also because magazines of greater than 5 round capacity were not readily available for the MKA 1919. It offers several advantages over the Saiga platform, namely: straight-insertion magazines, ability to seat a magazine on a closed bolt, the magazine release button, bolt release and safety lever are in the same place as the M16/AR15 family, internally threaded choke tubes using the common WinChoke thread and it has a last round bolt hold-open. The guys at imgww have railed hand guards with side-charging handles and collapsible stock modifications too. Supposedly a replacement lower (not the serialized part) specifically designed to mount AR-type stocks is in the works also. Now that factory 10 rounders are available, even at $80 per mag, [down from $129 O_o although rumor is ProMag *cough* will be offering one for $33], I might have to consider getting one just for the cool factor. I do love a ridiculously overdone [This is my] Boomstick.

Which leads me to my last pic of the day: EMF’s Baker Shotgun. It’s esssentially Pedersoli’s Howdah pistol with a stock but it does have its own charm. Charming in that you can blast your target and set it on fire at the same time. (apologies for the lack of focus)

I will be attending multiple days of the NRA Annual Meetings in Houston, Texas (May 3-5th, 2013) and am offering to post pictures, Q&A answers, mini-reviews, etc. for my readers. The Annual Meetings convention is like an ‘Everyman’s S.H.O.T. Show’ with hundreds of manufacturers displaying their products. If you want a particular product picture, want a nebulous description of what it feels like in the hand or just want to know what Roy Jinks favorite ice cream flavor is let me know. Just leave your request in the comments to this post and I will try my best to respond to as many as I can each day.

SB354 Texas Campus carry is scheduled for a vote in the Criminal Justice committee tomorrow [3/31/11]. No question that it will pass and be heard on the Senate floor. Rumor control has it that one senator will offer a floor amendment to change the bill to require private institutions to allow CHL carry. This senator is against the bill and is trying to bring problems to it on the floor. In any event carry in college buildings looks like a good bet.

This is good news! Having state-certified Good Guys on campus is an effective deterrent against criminal assaults. The ‘invisible line at the curb’ strategy hasn’t really worked so far.

Gun Free Zone = Defenseless Victim Zone

Until unrestricted Constitutional Carry is implemented (someday), this is a step forward.If you haven’t already contacted your state reps to voice your support of concealed carry on college campus, please do so.